Sikkim flash floods: Death toll climbs to 77, search ops continue with Army, NDRF and IAF working closely with the civil authority

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• Oct 11, 2023 | Poonam Nath

In response to the flash floods in Sikkim, the IAF has deployed these helicopters to evacuate stranded people...

Digital Desk: On October 10, 176 tourists were flown from North Sikkim, which had been severely impacted by a flash flood in the Teesta River.

According to reports, the death toll has risen to over 77, over a week after the flash flood that occurred in the early hours of October 4, and 76 people are still missing.

According to officials in both states, 36 bodies have been discovered in Sikkim, while 41 bodies have been found in various locations along the river in adjoining West Bengal.

Since Monday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has evacuated 690 people, including 26 foreigners, from the towns of Lachen and Lachung in North Sikkim using Mi-17 V5, CH-47 Chinooks, and Cheetah helicopters.

In response to the flash floods in Sikkim, the IAF has deployed these helicopters to evacuate stranded people and provide crucial supplies to isolated areas.

The Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are collaborating with the civil administration and are going to continue operations as needed. 

Chief Secretary VB Pathak said that an additional 499 persons were transferred by alternate ways from North Sikkim to Mangan, where they boarded state-run buses and private taxis to Gangtok. 

According to Chief Secretary VB Pathak, almost 1,200 people have been transferred from the North Sikkim district till date.